Politics of Parenting [Paperback]

William B. Irvine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Should the state license parents? This book is challenging: the Brave New World of eugenics and State regulation of procreation, parenting and the family. This is a highly reasoned and provocative book about a huge taboo in modern society. It will raise the ire of both the traditionalists and the "politically correct." It will be attacked in the press. But, ultimately the book is in defense of children and addresses the role of government in ensuring that parents practice a "stewardship" model, rather than an "ownership" model, of childrearing. It should be required reading by any student of populations studies and sociology of the family.>

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William B. Irvine has written widely on issues in public policy and applied ethics. It was these research interests, combined with his own experiences as a parent, which led him to write Doing Right by Children. Dr. Irvine is currently associate professor of philosophy at Wright State University, in Dayton, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two children. >

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Paragon House (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557788189
• ISBN-13: 978-1557788184
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,149,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing philosophical look at parenting, July 6, 2003

By 

Nicholas Barnard (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Politics of Parenting (Paperback)

William Irvine has written an intriguing book exploring our notions and attitudes toward procreation, parenting, and governmental/societial responsibility to children.

As any good philosopher would do Irvine quickly abandons political correctness and engages in a dispassionate critique of Eugenics and argues that it has a proper place, if we operate on the stewardship model of parenting. (Which was developed in detail in Irvine's Doing Right by Children) His arguments are intriguing and well thought out, and at times provocative.

In this section of the book he also explores when government can interfere in reproductive freedoms, and how to do so to ensure the continued viability of society. This section successfully attacks the premise that we should have complete freedom over when to reproduce and with whom.

Irvine then explores licensing parents. While many would instantly balk at interfering with parental freedoms, Irvine provides a sound and reasonable argument for requiring parental licenses, that is sure to leave readers in a quandry.

Irvine's text unfortunately ends on a semi-related chapter on divorce. While his background appears to hold to the stewardship model of parenting in high regard it also feels like an inappropriately muddled reaction to current day political/marital thinking.

Overall Irvine's book provides a provocative starting point for thinking about how children in America are thought of and how they should be thought of.